• These ASX tech stocks have lost billions. Buy the dip or stay away?

    A worried man holds his head and look at his computer.

    It has been a brutal year for these two ASX tech stocks who have lost more than half of their market value over the past year. 

    Two of the ASX’s former market darlings — WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC) and Xero Ltd (ASX: XRO) — have endured savage share price declines.

    At the time of writing, WiseTech shares are down 21% over the past month, 53% in 2026, and around 70% over the past year. Xero hasn’t fared much better. Its shares have fallen 20% over the past month, 38% year to date, and 61% over the past 12 months.

    After such a dramatic sell-off, are brokers starting to see value?

    WiseTech: Governance overshadows a quality business

    The problems of this ASX tech stock haven’t stemmed from weakening demand. Its CargoWise software remains one of the world’s leading logistics platforms, used by freight forwarders, customs brokers, and global supply chain operators.

    Instead, the market has become increasingly concerned about governance issues surrounding founder and executive chairman Richard White. The controversy first emerged late last year and has continued to weigh heavily on investor confidence.

    Markets dislike uncertainty, particularly when it involves senior leadership. As governance concerns dominated headlines, investors steadily reduced the valuation they were willing to pay, regardless of the company’s operational performance.

    Yet the underlying business continues to perform well. CargoWise keeps winning customers globally, recurring revenue remains strong, and the company still enjoys high switching costs that create a powerful competitive moat.

    Stuart Bromley, investment adviser at Medallion Financial Group, believes those strengths remain intact.

    Despite ongoing management and governance scrutiny, WiseTech remains one of Australia’s highest quality technology businesses with a dominant position in global logistics software, The company’s CargoWise platform continues to gain market share globally. In our view, WTC offers a substantial long-term growth opportunity. While near-term sentiment may remain volatile, we believe the quality of the underlying business warrants a hold rating amid management executing its long-term strategy.

    Bell Potter continues to rate the stock as a buy, although it has lowered its 12-month price target from $78.75 to $71.75. Based on the current share price of $32.01, this still implies potential upside of around 124%.

    Xero: Higher rates hit valuations

    Xero’s challenges have been very different. Rather than governance concerns, investors have been worried about rising interest rates and their impact on high-growth software valuations. Higher rates reduce the present value of future earnings, putting pressure on technology companies that trade on premium multiples.

    Artificial intelligence has added another layer of uncertainty, with some investors questioning how rapidly AI could reshape accounting software.

    However, the business itself continues to impress. In its latest result, Xero delivered strong customer growth, rising recurring revenue, and increasing average revenue per user. The company now serves almost five million subscribers worldwide, while annualised recurring revenue continues to grow at an impressive pace.

    That operational momentum has encouraged brokers. Morgans recently reaffirmed its buy recommendation with a price target of $111 per share, suggesting a 57% upside over the next 12 months.

    The post These ASX tech stocks have lost billions. Buy the dip or stay away? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in WiseTech Global right now?

    Before you buy WiseTech Global shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and WiseTech Global wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Marc Van Dinther has positions in WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global and Xero. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • Does my superannuation affect my Age Pension eligibility?

    An older couple use a calculator to work out what money they have to spend.

    The Age Pension is a fortnightly sum paid to Australians aged 67 years or over. It’s one of Australia’s most important safety nets which ensures Australians have a minimum income in retirement if their superannuation isn’t enough.

    The catch is that it isn’t available to everyone. Your eligibility depends on your age, income and your assets and the amount you get can vary significantly.

    But the question many Australians approaching retirement ask is: What about my superannuation balance? Does that affect my Age Pension eligibility?

    Lets break it down, with everything you need to know about your super and the Age Pension.

    Age limit and maximum payment

    The Age Pension is available only to Australians aged 67 years and older.

    It is paid on a fortnightly basis up to a maximum total payment of $1,200.90 per fortnight for singles and $1,810.40 for couples combined. 

    These sums include the maximum basic rate, the maximum pension supplement, and the energy supplement.

    As I mentioned above, the final amount you’ll receive (if anything) is heavily dependent on Centerlink’s income and asset test. 

    And these also include your superannuation.

    Yes your superannuation affects your Age Pension eligibility: Here’s how

    The income test assesses all of your income, pooled from all sources. That includes anything from superannuation income, investment income, part-time wages, bonuses, or commission payments. It’s applicable regardless of your age. 

    According to Services Australia, assessable income includes but is not limited to reportable super contributions and from any funds invested in superannuation if you’ve reached Age Pension age, or any funds that are invested in a super pension fund or income stream, regardless of age. 

    The asset test includes everything you own in full, in part, or have an interest in, but excludes the home you live in. Again, this includes your superannuation balance (as an asset). 

    To ensure the system is fair, Centrelink assesses you under both tests and applies what it calls the ‘lower rule of two’. This means your potential fortnightly Age Pension is calculated under both tests, and the one that results in the lower payment is the amount you will actually receive.

    What are the rules for the Age Pension income test?

    In order to receive the full Age Pension, single Australians (as of the 1st of July) can earn a total of $226 per fortnight, while couples can earn up to $396 per fortnight from all pooled sources, including and superannuation income.

    But it’s still possible to receive a part pension if you earn over those thresholds. 

    From the 1st of July, singles can earn up to $2,627.80 per fortnight. Couples (living together) can earn up to $4,016.80 per fortnight and still qualify for at least a part-Age Pension. 

    But, it’s important to note that your income is assessed on a sliding scale.

    For a single person, your Age Pension will reduce by 50 cents for each dollar over $226. For couples it will reduce by 25 cents for each dollar over $396.

    It means that the more you earn, the lower your Age Pension payment will be, until it reaches zero.

    What are the rules for the Age Pension asset test?

    In order to receive the full Age Pension, from the 1st of July, single homeowners can own assets (including superannuation) up to a value of $333,000. For non-homeowners, this will be up to $600,000.

    But a couple has a different threshold, and it’s not double the amount of one person. From the 1st of July, a couple combined can own up to $499,000 in total if they own a property, or $766,000 if they don’t.

    But like the income test, it’s also possible to get a part-payment if you’re over those thresholds.

    From the 1st of July, if your assets are less than $733,500 if you’re a single homeowner, and $1,000,500 if you’re a non-homeowner, you are still entitled to some level of payment.

    Couples are also entitled to a part-payment so long as their combined assets aren’t more than $1,102,500 for homeowners. Non-homeowners can own assets totalling up to $1,369,500.

    The post Does my superannuation affect my Age Pension eligibility? appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Wondering where you should invest $1,000 right now?

    When investing expert Scott Phillips has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, the flagship Motley Fool Share Advisor newsletter he has run for over ten years has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    Scott just revealed what he believes could be the ‘five best ASX stocks’ for investors to buy right now. We believe these stocks are trading at attractive prices and Scott thinks they could be great buys right now…

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor Samantha Menzies has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.

  • 3 ASX shares down at least 50% in FY26

    A man holds his head in his hands after seeing bad news on his laptop screen.

    Although the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) edged higher in FY 2026, it was a bruising year for a number of former market favourites.

    For example, three ASX shares that fell 50% or more during the last financial year are named below. Here’s why they were sold off:

    Cochlear Ltd (ASX: COH)

    Cochlear shares were hammered in FY 2026, falling around 60% over the 12 months.

    The biggest blow arguably came in April, when the hearing implant leader cut its earnings guidance.

    Cochlear said trading conditions for cochlear implants in developed markets had been softer than expected since January. Management pointed to hospital capacity constraints, reduced referral activity from the hearing aid channel, weaker consumer sentiment in key markets, and uncertainty from the Middle East conflict.

    That was a damaging update because Cochlear has long been viewed as a high-quality healthcare compounder. Investors had been prepared to pay a premium for reliability, market leadership, and long-term growth in hearing implants.

    When the company reduced its underlying net profit guidance to between $290 million and $330 million, that premium was quickly reassessed.

    CSL Ltd (ASX: CSL)

    CSL was another healthcare giant that had a dreadful FY 2026, with its shares crashing around 50%.

    The biotechnology company suffered from a painful reset in expectations. In October, CSL downgraded its outlook after weaker US flu vaccination rates hurt its Seqirus vaccines business. It also delayed the planned spin-off of Seqirus, which had been expected to help simplify the company.

    The pressure continued in February when the company reported a weak half-year result and announced the sudden exit of chief executive Paul McKenzie.

    Then in May, CSL cut its FY 2026 guidance again following a review by interim CEO Gordon Naylor. It pointed to issues including US immunoglobulin inventory normalisation, lower albumin market value in China, slower growth from HEMGENIX, competition in iron products, and additional asset impairments.

    CSL also faced tariff uncertainty during the year, although the company later indicated that most of its US product sales were not expected to be subject to the new tariffs.

    WiseTech Global Ltd (ASX: WTC)

    WiseTech Global shares had an even rougher FY 2026, falling around 70% over the period.

    The logistics software company continued its growth, but the market became increasingly uncomfortable with governance uncertainty, concerns over its transition to a new pricing and sales model, and questions about potential artificial intelligence disruption.

    At the same time, WiseTech was dealing with a more demanding market for expensive technology shares. Investors were unwilling to pay a premium for ASX tech stocks and de-rated them to some of the lowest multiples that have been seen in years.

    The post 3 ASX shares down at least 50% in FY26 appeared first on The Motley Fool Australia.

    Should you invest $1,000 in Cochlear right now?

    Before you buy Cochlear shares, consider this:

    Motley Fool investing expert Scott Phillips just revealed what he believes are the 5 best stocks for investors to buy right now… and Cochlear wasn’t one of them.

    The online investing service he’s run for over a decade, Motley Fool Share Advisor, has provided thousands of paying members with stock picks that have doubled, tripled or even more.*

    And right now, Scott thinks there are 5 stocks that may be better buys…

    * Returns as of 16 June 2026

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    Motley Fool contributor James Mickleboro has positions in CSL, Cochlear, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia’s parent company Motley Fool Holdings Inc. has positions in and has recommended CSL, Cochlear, and WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has positions in and has recommended WiseTech Global. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended CSL and Cochlear. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Scott Phillips.